I think the figure pretty well explains itself. All I need mention is,
that while the shape and position of each path is correctly shown, the
size of the sun at center is immensely exaggerated. A mere pin point,
but shining with star-like splendor, would properly represent him.
As for the figures of the earth and Mars, they are still more
tremendously out of proportion. The cross-breadth of the lines
representing these planets' tracks is _many times_ greater than the
breadth of either planet on the scale of the chart.
On September 5 the earth and Mars came to the position shown at E and
M. You observe that they could not be much nearer. It is indeed very
seldom that Mars is so well placed for observation. His illuminated
face was turned toward the dark or night half of the earth, so that he
shone brightly in the sky at midnight, and can be well studied with
the telescope.
When Galileo turned toward Mars the telescope with which he had
discovered the moons of Jupiter, the crescent form of Venus, and many
other wonders in the heavens, he was altogether disappointed.
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